Swansea board debates adding two police officers

SWANSEA — The Board of Selectmen debated the appointment of two police officers to the department during its meeting last Tuesday evening at the Police Headquarters.

Bill Hall

SWANSEA — The Board of Selectmen debated the appointment of two police officers to the department during its meeting last Tuesday evening at the Police Headquarters.

Jonathan Boyd of Fall River and Zachary Sousa of Swansea were appointed on the recommendation of Police Chief George Arruda, who was acting on the recommendation of a review committee made up of two lieutenants and sergeant. The two men will be required to attend a police academy.

The board voted 2-1 with Chairman Kenneth Furtado and board member Scott Ventura in favor and Robert Marquis opposed. Marquis has opposed appointments in the past emphasizing he had nothing against the officers, but felt that the department could get along with fewer.

Chief Arruda pointed out that he is budgeted for 32 sworn officers, including command staff, and that he was down to 30 with an officer leaving to New Bedford. In addition, he had two officers on long term, job related medical leave. The chief further noted that another officer has scored 100 percent on a State Police exam.

At one point in the debate, Ventura pointed out that the two new officers were going to be appointed by the majority and urged his colleague to make it unanimous. Marquis countered by noting that adding two people was going to have an affect on the budget at $100,000 an officer based on a $3.1 million salary line item for the police budget. Chief Arruda pointed out that the $3.1 million includes funding for 32 officers, as well as dispatchers, administrative assistant, overtime, holiday pay, custodial services, mechanic and other pay costs. Marquis noted that he was still not convinced that the need was demonstrated and wondered if one new officer would do.

Chairman Furtado reiterated that the money was already in the budget for 32 officers and that it had been noted that the department is rarely staffed to the limit due to medical leave and those transferring to other departments.